Trimming difficulty

[jonathanderick]

Hey all. I have been progressing nicely in these past few weeks of surfable/semi-surfable Cali waves. I stand up consistently on forming waves, and now, I want to learn how to trim and turn. Whenever I catch a wave, I try to emulate the other surfers: 1. Take off at an angle, 2. Lean towards the direction of the wave, 3. Enjoy. Yet, I cannot seem to trim hard enough onto the wave. I tried crouching extremely low to dig the rails in, but I end up falling into the wave.

How do you trim into the wave? Is it possible my board may be too big? I am riding a 6'6"/19"/2.75" CI Flyer, and I stand 5'8" at 140 lbs (63kg). Thanks.

[isaluteyou]

Turning is all bout shifting your weight by first looking in the direction you want to go and then turning your sholders, waist, and legs in the direction you want to go.

As far as trimming is concerned unlike a longboard which can glide shorter boards generally require you to generate a little bit of your own speed unless the waves are powerfull. This is known as pumping. To do this you simply make your bottom turn and as soon as you are riding down the line in short but consistant bursts turn your board to the top and then to the bottom in a continuous line a bit like an elongated "S". (not sure if im explaining it right maybe someone who can explain it better will make a better attempt at it than me )

[gutterball]

Well it explains it ok i think..Im not sure if i will but the way i like to get speed is to turn into the steep sections. these are power pockets and if you go high above one, and pump down into it from above, gravity and the wave will excell you to great speeds. If the wave is weak it should have some sort of pwer source whether a tiny part here or there or a very noticable one..Pump and turn into these to create speed.
Also while going around (in front of) wash etc you can ussually do little pumps on the slight bit of wall the wave will have just next to the wash..Some times the wash will reform also creating little walls here or there to turn into, pump on or even carve if you feel like it.

As for your board it sounds thick but not extremely..It should be turnable, just apply more pressure with your back foot, crouch low (not too low-knees at 110' angles) and dont lean off the board..You can start the bottom turn slightly extended away from the board but as you go through it compress into the board with your weight and body to deepen the rails into the wave...aswell as give good balance...Then you slightly extend out of the turn to spring into the direction you want to aim at..Do this in carves, or bottom turns and it will improve your surfing greatly..

[deshram]

well first thing i do when im on a wave is examine my position and the wave itself-for a split second mind you- then when i feel the face getting steeper i pump, pumping to me has just been by feeling i always remember it as dropping a little in the face then leaning on my back foot, at the same time pushing your front foot a little into the face, then repeat, then when i get enough speed i have a few options, if its getting flatter and the power is behind you lean in behind you till your board is facing towards the wave, be sure to use your arms as well, if there is still some height in the face i come up to the tip-but not too far- and i lean back not as hard for a cutback and that usually sends some decent spray, then i wait for the wave to reform a little then pump again, or if the wave is closing out i get pointed towards the tip and i either get off the face or you can lean on your back foot towards the breaking section and do a floater or you can go for a fat spray, all of it mostly depending on the wave and amount of speed that i have

[IB_Surfer]

Let me re-explain your dilema, if I am wrong I will post again:You can't turn into the shoulder of the wave, the board goes strait even though you keep tilting the board. Did I get this right?

I can think of three solutions:

1) Al Merrick boards come with Al Merrick Fins. They are great for barreling big waves, hold really high and dont' slip out. But for begginers, it has the effect of slowing you down, dragging, so you get a slower surfboard that hangs on the lip. Switch fins, try just M5's, or others. Borrow a friend's fins to see if that help, if so then go buy some, if not then at least you tried something different.

2) You don't trim like on a longboard, you don't really surf a shortboard by riding rail to rail, you don't dig in the rail to turn it, mostly you dig it in when on steep waves, but that is a totally different lesson. You need your back foot on the stomp pad, if you don't have one get one. if no pad the back foot should be over the center fin. You should lean slightly back to pivot the board to turn, lean forward for speed. Very minor though, it's a "feel" thing you will develop with time. A begginer error is to ride a shortboard in the middle, so it makes turning a bear. Don't overcompensate though.

3) Spread your feet a little wider. If I had to guess I picture you on the center of the board with your feet barely appart. You can't turn that way. Back foot on tail, front foot in middle of board. Carefull, too far back and you stall.

Lastly, the board might be too big, but it should not stop you from being able to turn into the wave, buying a smaller board will just frustrate you more, so keep at it and take everyone's adivse in stride.

[esonscar]

I haven’t read the above posts - but I say never mind trimming the board, rock it up and down the face and pump it - you want to be a speed demon on a shortboard.

Trimming will come from moving the board up and down the face - you'll feel the spot naturally in time .